Museum of Nature and Science

Because its been so hot and we haven't really got to take the girls anywhere, we decided to go to the Museum of Nature and Science. The girls loved it. I told them we were going to see dinosaurs and they were thrilled! It was so fun to see them run from one display to another and loving it! The pure joy these girls have can't help but make you smile.

Wes or I would try to show them something and they would run off in another direction. It reminded me of going to science museums with my parents when I was a kid. Being the kid of a scientist, you get to see LOTS of science museums.

My sweet girls hugging.

"Digging" for dinosaurs

Lizzie going down the slide from the fire truck.

Gracie on the slide

Lizzie riding the "tractor"

Gracie riding the "tractor"

Potty Training Update

Well, we have been having some success with potty training. This past weekend, we started a sticker chart and it going well. We've actually got Lizzie to poop and pee in the potty. She is better at pooping in the potty than peeing. So right now, I've got one that will poop in the potty but not pee and another one that will pee in the potty but not poop.

While the mice are away....

So, this cat has been free for a few days. The girls spent some time with Grandma and Papa. Momma got a much needed break from potty training, the terrible 3s and temper tantrums.

So what did I do while they were away?

Day 1
I got up and decided I was going to go to a couple of thrift stores. I keep reading blogs about people who get really cute stuff for really cheap. So, I found a couple of places to try. The first place I went, I found a couple of things but nothing I loved. The entire time, I keep thinking about where these clothes might have been before they found their way into the store. The longer I was in the store, the more I thought about it and got grossed out. I left that store and went to another one that wasn't as nice. I then decided to head to Grapevine Mills and found some really cute jeans.

That night, I went to yoga and then met Wes at the movies to see the last Harry Potter movie. It was a fun date night!

Day 2
I slept in until almost 9 am! I haven't slept in for a long time. Then I made a discovery. I don't normally flat iron my hair, but just started recently. I have been using this huge flat iron and burning my fingers in the process. I thought I had another smaller one but couldn't find it until I followed a cable and there it was! YAY! No more burned fingers. These are things you can do while your children are away.

Needless to say, I was pretty lazy the rest of the day. I did a little cleaning and a little laundry. That night, we went to a lecture from a yogi on fear.

Day 3
I headed to OKC to pick up the girls and spend a couple of days. We napped and had a fun dinner with the family.

Day 4
I met my cousin downtown at her office so she could train me for a part time job I am starting. It is so awesome, I can work from home on my own time! Yay for me! Love her!

While I was being trained, grandma, papa and the kids went to see Winnie the Pooh. The girls pigged out on popcorn (Gracie told me she ate so much it made her knee hurt, ha ha). That evening we went to see Grandma and Grandpa Potter where the girls laughed and played which made the Potters laugh! So much fun!

Day 5
The girls and I went home. Wes was sick almost the entire time we were gone so he was really happy to see us!

What's New?

Notice something new in this picture? Lizzie is sporting a pony tail! Her hair is now long enough for a pony! So exciting.

The girls are "playing checkers" at Grandma and Papa.

Good Things About Being 3

So, I blogged a couple posts ago about the terrible 3s, but there are some good things about being 3. I thought I would write them down to help me through the tougher times.

• The girls are more independent. They are able to dress themselves, shorts may be on backward, panties may be on sideways (yes sideways not just backward) and shoes may or may not be on the right feet but they can do it them selves.
  
• Their imagination is so wild, anything can instantly become a phone or microphone. Just yesterday, they took turns playing with the garden hose using it as a mic while the other sat in a chair and watched the "performance".
• They also share fairly well. Most of the time when there is a disagreement, we can get them to agree and take turns.
• They tell us sweet things all the time like, "love you mommy/daddy", "you look cute", "thank you mommy/daddy" and when we run out of anything they say "daddy go buy it". That's because Wes does most of the grocery shopping, so he usually does "go buy it".

We have our good times and our more challenging times. I try to spend my time thinking more of the positive times than the frustrating times.

Third Anniversary

Today is a special anniversary for us. Its the third anniversary of bringing the girls home from the NICU. They were there 5 1/2 weeks (40 days). We spent the night before terrified "rooming in" at the hospital with the girls. That means we spent the entire night awake in a room next to the NICU on a pull out couch. We would take turns every couple of hours to watch them because we were too freaked out to sleep! They were born at 4 lbs 10 oz (Lizzie) and 3lbs 10oz (Gracie). They left at 6lbs 5oz and 5lbs 1.5oz (when they are that small every tenth counts).

The other crazy thing about this date is it was my second due date. I had two due dates. A forty week due date (August 11) and 36 week due date (July 21). The goal was to get to the 36 week due date, the girls and my body had other ideas about goal setting.


It was 100 degrees out that day and they are wearing long sleeve onsies with 2 hats on. They were still working on keeping themselves warm.

This when we got home. Who would have thought then that these tiny burritos would turn into.......

These crazy girls! If anyone had told me what kind of ride we were in for, I would never believe them! They are so funny and keep us so busy but we love them so much and wouldn't trade any of it!

The Hardware Store

This weekend we went to the hardware store. The aisle we were in was next to the kitchen cabinets. The girls loved running from kitchen to kitchen and opening drawers and doors. It was so funny because they kept saying, "another kitchen" or "I found it". It was so funny!

The Terrible 3s

Well, we thought we were through the worst but 3 has started off worse than 2 ever was. It seems that the minute they turned 3 they became more difficult. We started with whining and throwing huge fits.

A couple of weeks ago, Wes and I went to Target to get some stuff. We all went in, got one cart and put the girls in the basket. The girls acted up a little while we shopped but when it came time to check out the girls melted down and were screaming while we walked out. Wes and I pretended not to notice that it was our kids screaming.

Because we are stupid people and don't learn our lessons, we head back to Target a week or so later. This time, the girls want to "walk" and not sit in the cart. They both start running in opposite directions and Lizzie pushes the limit and LAYS on the NASTY Target floor (laying on the floor and throwing fits is her new thing, lovely). Wes takes both of them out of the store for a time out. They all come back in and we go to check out again. Lizzie is messing with the end of the cashier stand and TURNS ON the conveyer belt. I quickly turn it off but not before the cashier notices and gives me the DIRTIEST look. I think I better get use to that.

Today was no exception. We were suppose to meet friends at the mall to play. I try 3 times to get Gracie to pee and poop in the potty. No luck on either which means I could get a surprise at any moment. I finally get the Gracie dressed and her hair fixed. Then its Lizzie's turn. I get her dressed but when it comes time to fix her hair she flips out and won't let me. I end up putting her in time out, shut the door and tell her we are leaving. Finally I get her hair done. We are now 20 minutes late to our play date. I know, I know, I should have let the hair go. The problem was that it was half fixed. She only had one pig tail.

To end the day the same as it started, we took the girls up to Wes's work for a party. Lizzie throws a temper tantrum about 10 minutes after we get there. Wes takes her to time out and she calms down. In the 2 hours that we are there, the girls spill 2 glasses of water, run around crazy and Lizzie throws another fit over dessert. She has 3 choices and wants all of them and none of them at the same time. To time out again she goes, when she comes back she is still whiny but finally picks one and eats it. At this point, I'm terribly embarrassed for myself and Wes. As we leave, everyone tells us how sweet the girls were. HA HA!

Lizzie and Changes

Lizzie and changes don't mix. If anything is not like how she thinks it should be, she gets really upset. Here are a few examples:

• As a treat for the girls, we will drive thru McDonald's and get a McDonalds Water for the girls. They think this is the best water on the planet and its a real treat. Anyway, I usually pour a little out before I give it to them because they tend to spill ALL OF IT! Today, I was lazy and decided to just give them the whole thing. Lizzie threw a fit. She said it was too full. So, when we got home I poured some of it out.
• If we are at a restaurant and the waiter comes and tries to take her plate, she freaks out.
• Certain things are "hers" and if Gracie gets them, she will wrestle her to the ground to get them back.
• She's really into orange right now and wants everything orange. I give them a gummy vitamin and all that was left was pink. So, I had to explain that there were not any orange left and she was ok.
• She always wants to sit behind momma in the car when we go places, we have to make her take turns with Gracie.

We are working on trying to help her be a little more flexible.

Silly Girls

This stage is so fun and exhausting at the same time. One moment I can't believe how cute they are and the next I'm yelling at them because they are into something they shouldn't be. The girls' imagination is really developing and they are always pretending.

This morning I walked into this. They were being cute and were laying in the same bed. They were pretending to sleep.

Here the girls are posing in some new pjs they got for their birthday. Thanks Chris, Angie and Kassidy! The girls love them!

This was on Wes's birthday. We sat outside the restaurant while the girls played ring around the rosie. They would sing and then fall down! So funny.

When we can, we spend our time outside in the pool. The girls love to play in it and they think the water hose is fun too. Gracie was making Lizzie spray her with the hose. She kept telling where to spray. It started with her back and then each arm and leg. They are so silly.

Sharing

Wow. We have turned three for sure. The girls have their cute and monster moments. They either share really well or not at all. A poor defenseless cow was the victim this morning of a wrestling match between the girls. They take after Wes who wrestled in high school.The poor cow was put in time out.

Other times, they share so sweetly. Like in this picture. They took turns pushing and riding. There were giggles galore!

Each day is an adventure, I just hope I make it to their fourth birthday.

Crafting again

I got the bug again to create. I'm working with my clay again to see how to make different flowers.

My mom gave me a ring that was a flower and I tried to recreate it with clay

Also, I started experimenting with a mold. I bought it ages ago and tried to use it once. The directions say to put corn starch on it so the clay comes off better. All it did for me was get EVERYWHERE. This time I didn't use the corn starch and it came out fine. The other thing I experimented with was blending two colors. I really like how they turned out. I'm tempted to use this method to make beads for necklaces and bracelets.

Another one from the mold but instead of a ring, I made a pendant.

This is another pendant I made at the last minute. I had marbled clay left over so I rolled it out, etched a heart into it and then distressed it.

3 Year Old Pictures

The girls were finally in a good mood and my friend Allison was able to get some great pictures of them. I love the pictures, she is such an awesome photographer! These were their "Olivia" dresses that Nana found. Just like Olivia, they had to accessorize with headbands that I made! I love how they turned out. I made them with Dollar Tree headbands and flowers!

Sweet Lizzie, finally not cranky!

Lovely Gracie, so cute

Such sweet sisters. They can play so sweetly and fight so bitterly! Notice Gracie's hand on her hip. She is so prissy.

The choke hold, AKA hugs. Lizzie is a little wrestler. She muscles Gracie into doing what she wants.

Love how they are such little hams! Gonna frame this!

Thanks so much Allison for the great pictures! I'm so glad we both had multiples so we could meet!

Week in Review

The week started off quiet. We started trying to potty train Lizzie with no luck. Then we went to their three year check up and the pedi told us to just wait Lizzie out. So, I decided that Lizzie's lack of potty training was no reflection on my parenting skills and gave up. That evening, she peed in the potty for the first time! Silly girl. She has gone a handful of times since. So, we are going slow.

Later in the week, we met our twin group at a splash park in Carrollton. It was really fun. It had play ground equipment on either side with the splash part in the middle. At first the girls only wanted to play on the equipment, but I dug up some buckets from our van and they had a blast.

Gracie with her towel on. My friend Allison said that this would be a good picture so, I pulled out my camera. Gracie said "no mama, Allison take picture". So, Allison had to take the picture

Lizzie drying off to eat lunch

Some of our friends at the park

Lizzie and Gracie with Reese and Amy

Wearing our birthday present tutus from Nana to church. They twirled like ballerinas when the put them on. They also had to wear their butterfly shoes. When we got to church, one of minister's was wearing butterflies on her shoes too. The girls thought that was really cool.

Father's Day and Sammy's Birthday

This weekend, we went to Oklahoma to celebrate birthdays for my nephew Sam, niece Kassidy and Father's day. It was a great trip, but we are tired. Our entire month of June has been crazy busy with celebrations!

Sam loves all things pirate. He has been a pirate for many Halloweens and seen all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. This year he had a pirate themed birthday party. I found a Pirates of the Caribbean Jack Sparrow bandana wig. He LOVED it! Here he is modeling it.

Sweet Kassidy. Her birthday was earlier in the month and we missed it. So we had a celebratory taco dinner at my sister's house on Saturday after Sam's party. We all had a really good time!

My mom and sister taking a break from cooking tacos.

My dad and Gracie smiling on Father's day. He is an awesome Father and the smartest person I have ever known. Love him a lot.

My sweet husband and Gracie. He is a great father and partner in our family! I love this picture.

Lizzie was watching TV while I was taking pictures, she did not want to stop watching to get her picture taken with her daddy

We had tons of fun and the girls love playing with their cousins. Sydney, Sam and Kassidy all played really well with the girls and help us take care of them! It was a blast!

Vacation Bible School

After our crazy birthday weekend, we started Vacation Bible School at our church. It was a blast, I helped and the girls attending. They had so much fun. Gracie did have a little separation anxiety when I dropped her off but loved it!

Sister love as we are getting ready to leave for the program

Up on "stage" getting ready to perform

Best buddies Reese and Riley, I conned Amy (thanks Amy for all the help!) in to helping and so that Reese and Riley could be in the girls class. The girls all stood for the songs they were suppose to sing. Lizzie was jumping up and down dancing. Gracie had to go sit with the teacher and "conduct" her sister. So funny. During a break, the girls also ran around the pulpit and almost knocked down the vase for the alter flowers. Apparently, the entire audience could see them misbehaving.

The girls had a blast and were exhausted every day when we got home. I had a great time too, I helped coordinate all the teachers. It was a great way to serve my church!

More Pictures from the Party

My very talented friend is a great photographer and took pictures of the girls party! Thanks so much Allison. Below is a movie of all the pictures she took!

Third Birthday Party

On Saturday, we had the girls birthday party on their actual birthday! How fun is that. We of course picked one of the hottest June's on record to have an outdoor party. Fortunately, the party was in the morning and the kids played in the water and only the parents were really hot. I was sweating buckets! The theme was Olivia the Pig. The girls LOVE her! They always want to watch her on TV.

The kids in one of the pools

Reese and Riley stopped playing to get a snack and Lizzie couldn't be left out. Riley loves her snacks!

Lizzie checking out the cake

Lizzie and Gracie playing

Gracie in her sunglasses. They did not come off.

The girls had a blast and I think all their friends did too! We had about 20ish kids in our back yard which included 5 sets of twins and a set of triplets!

These pictures were taken by Nana. My friend Allison took some too! I can't wait to share them!

Birthday Weekend

The girls turned three on Saturday. It's hard to believe that these little babies are getting so big. Gracie is mastering the potty with fewer and fewer accidents. Lizzie has absolutely no interest. Lizzie spoke her ABC's exactly right and clearly. I was so surprised.

Anyway back to the weekend, Nana came the Tuesday before, Grandma and Papa came on Thursday and Laura, Paul, Sydney and Sam came on Friday. We had a house full of people but it was fun. From Thursday on, we were all working either in the yard or house to get it all ready. We were tired before the party even started. We had all kinds of things getting ready for the party. Because the girls are the youngest cousins by about five years, we get tons of fun hand me downs. Some of the best have been outdoor toys.

Awesome swing set given to us by Kassidy

After the party, had lunch (girls favorite spaghetti), napped, had dinner and then went to Bonkers. It was a blast. I say it was a blast because I got to sit and Sydney and Sam did all the work. Darlene (Nana) got up there too.

My goofy niece and nephew with my sister Laura. They were all so helpful.

We had a really fun weekend with lots of family. The girls loved every minute of it. They can now show how old they are on their fingers. Also, I told them because they were three they should start climbing in their car seats and they are!

Next up, the birthday party!